Related Information

Chloramine Conversion Project

General Questions and Answers

Changing the Way We Disinfect Your Drinking Water

The City of Stockton Water Utility has started work on a very important project that will change the way our drinking water is disinfected. Beginning Fall 2015, the City of Stockton will begin using chloramines in its North Stockton Water Service Area. The following general information is provided to help you understand if and how your drinking water is affected.

Why is the City of Stockton Changing to Chloramines?

Chloramines have been safely and successfully used by water utilities for more than 90 years. More than 1 in 5 Americans uses drinking water treated with chloramines.

What are Chloramines?

Chloramines are a chemical compound of chlorine and ammonia, commonly used as a diluted solution to disinfect drinking water before it is delivered to you. These chloramines are formed using low chemical concentrations in a controlled environment.

Are Chloramines a Common Way to Disinfect Drinking Water?

Chloramines have been safely and successfully used by water utilities for more than 90 years. More than 1 in 5 Americans uses drinking water treated with chloramines.

Why Did the City Select Chloramine Disinfection Over Other Options?

The City of Stockton selected chloramine disinfection because it forms fewer disinfection byproducts, is more stable and longer lasting than free chlorine and was the most cost-effective option.

Will I Notice a Change in the Taste or Odor of My Water?

Utilities that use chloramines often experience fewer taste and odor complaints than utilities using free chlorine.What Precautions Must Dialysis Providers Take?

Kidney dialysis patients can safely drink, cook and bathe in water disinfected with chloramines. The digestive process neutralizes chloramines before entering the bloodstream. However, chloramines must be removed from water used in kidney dialysis machines. The City will be working with local hospitals and dialysis treatment centers to educate about this change. If you are a dialysis patient, call your physician or the dialysis center nearest you. Please read this letter outlining areas affected and contact information. The link to the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation's website, as noted in the letter, can be found below in External Links.

Are Chloramines Safe for My Fish?

Chloramines, like chlorine, are toxic to fish and aquatic life and must be removed from water used for keeping live fish, amphibians and other aquatic animals. This includes fish, lobster, shrimp, frogs, turtles, snails, clams and live coral.

Is Everyone in the City of Stockton Affected?

No. Only those customers in the City of Stockton's North Water Service Area, including those County Areas served by the City, are affected. City of Stockton water customers located in the South Water Service Area and California Water Service Company customers are not affected. View a map of the City of Stockton's Water Service Areas.

Other Questions?

The City of Stockton has developed four separate, printable FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) documents specific to the following areas: